Furman vs. LSU: 10 Things We Learned in Tigers' Win

Furman vs. LSU: 10 Things We Learned in Tigers' Win

Even with impressive stats to boast, the LSU Tigers can't escape questionable coaching calls in a 48-16 victory against Furman.

Miles abandoned a dominant running game with Jeremy Hill in the second quarter even though the Tigers were struggling early.

His coaching decisions only seemingly became worse, as he gave Anthony Jennings very few reps at the tail end of the game.

All in all—we learned that even through dominant victories, Tiger fans stay scratching their heads.

Jeremy Hill Is the Tigers' Best Player

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Let's start this off with a glaringly obvious note—Jeremy Hill is the Tigers' best player. Hands down.

Hill bails LSU out of more bad circumstances than Superman did with Lois Lane in the comics. Fitting seeing that Hill's heroic performance saved LSU from being down to Furman at halftime.

Despite a pick-six, struggling defense and constant woes on special teams, Hill ran the ball effectively—utilizing his size and speed to race past defenders into the end zone.

In the first quarter alone, he had over 80 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns. Hard to imagine what this team would look like offensively without him.

Tigers' Future Remains a Question Mark

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So much for those Anthony Jennings reps, am I right?

What will LSU's offense look like next season without Zach Mettenberger, Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry?

Can't answer that one. In a way, we got a big taste with Hill and the young offensive linemen, but as for the skill players on the outside and the quarterback, well, that remains a question mark.

Jennings got a few reps, but it was far too many too late. The decision to play Mettenberger with a huge lead and 10 minutes to play was mind-boggling. They don't call Les Miles The Mad Hatter for nothing, right?

Tigers Can Get off of the Field on Third Down

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Thought LSU would improve its defense after a disgraceful performance against Ole Miss? Yeah, I think we all did.

The Tigers followed up that uninspiring performance with a lethargic, unimpressive defensive outing against Furman in the first half.

After Ole Miss completed 11 of 18 third-down conversions, the Tigers allowed Furman to complete three consecutive third-down conversions on a first-half drive.

The Tigers clamped down in the second half. The Tigers allowed only one Furman first down in the second half.

Dwayne Thomas Can Be a Weapon

This LSU defense is begging for a superstar to take over. Lamin Barrow is a sure tackler on the outside, Jalen Mills is a talented blitzing nickel and Anthony Johnson can make plays in the interior.

Other than that, LSU is lacking someone capable of dominating the game on the defensive side of the ball.

The Tigers might have a guy capable in Dwayne Thomas. The athletic defensive back showed his potential by batting down a pass and generating two sacks in the first half.

Lamar Louis Battling for That Starting Mike Role

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You can't say LSU isn't looking at other options.

With D.J. Welter's woes becoming an ever-growing popular complaint amongt Tigers fans, LSU decided to give Lamar Louis reps early into the game.

Louis failed to make a substantial impact, though, and Welter, though he faces many critics, actually played well for the Tigers Saturday night.

Welter boasted seven total tackles, but Louis wasn't that far behind him with four. More opportunities for Louis should be granted in the near future.

Colby Delahoussaye Is Human After All

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Colby Delahoussaye's perfect season is over.

The streak ends for the Tigers' impressive walk-on kicker. His nine straight made field goals goes down as the longest consecutive streak to start a career at LSU.

However, Delahoussaye could not escape the deadly SEC injury plague.

After his field goal miss, James Hairston filled in for kicking duties for the remainder of the game, as it was evident Delahoussaye was not himself.

Tigers Will Never Lose Running Identity

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The flashy offensive numbers were nice in the beginning of the season.

The Tigers' true identity is revealed when LSU struggles, though. When Mettenberger can't put the ball on a dime, LSU calls upon Hill and the hog-mollies upfront.

That's exactly what happened in the second half with a four-point Tigers advantage.

That didn't last long when LSU shoved the football down the Paladins' throats with Hill and the other stellar Tigers backs.

The Tigers Desperately Need an Open Date

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Injuries are scattered across the board for the Tigers.

With J.C. Copeland, Connor Neighbors, Elliot Porter and La'el Collins all banged up, LSU's offense limped around in the first half.

The second half was a different story, but it remains clear that the Tigers need a break.

In desperate need of a bye, LSU will gain valuable rest before its showdown against Alabama.

Odell Beckham in Elite Wide Receiver Company

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I know, I know—tell me something you don't know.

Not that we had any doubts...

With his 204 yards receiving, Odell Beckham becomes only the fifth LSU player to ever record a 1,000-yard receiving season.

His 200-yard performance is the first time an LSU player eclipsed that mark since Devery Henderson did against Kentucky in 2002. That happened to be the Bluegrass Miracle game, where Henderson took part in one of the most memorable plays in LSU lore.

Life as an LSU Fan Is a Frustrating One

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It's a hard knock life.

Tigers fans can't get away from head-scratching coaching decisions.

The latest installment came when Miles decided to hand the ball off to Hilliard and other backs in the second quarter, despite Hill's 80-plus yard first-quarter performance.

Tigers fans only became more aggravated as the game went on. Despite the game being out of Furman's reach, Anthony Jennings didn't get his first snaps until under six minutes to play in the game. These types of decisions make absolutely no sense, and therefore LSU fans endure a struggle that only they can relate to season after season.